Synopsis

Every December, Grandma Lupita tells Rose the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As they make paper flowers to put around her statue, Grandma begins: Long ago, on a cold December morning near what is now Mexico City, a man named Juan Diego put on his cloak and started down the road to church. On his way, Juan Diego sees a beautiful Lady at the top of a hill. She tells Juan Diego to go to the Bishop and ask him to build a special church for her. But the Bishop doesn't believe that Juan Diego has seen the Lady; he asks for a sign. Again the Lady sends Juan Diego, and again the Bishop asks for a sign. Until finally, she provides one: her shining image on Juan Diego's cloak for everyone to see.

About Pat Mora

“My life just wouldn’t be my life without books. I wouldn’t be me. The possibility of bringing others bookjoy is a thrill.”—Pat Mora

Pat Mora’s Tomás and the Library Lady is an IRA Teachers’ Choice and a Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An award-winning author of children’s books, poetry, and nonfiction, Pat Mora is committed to bringing together all children with books. She often speaks at conferences, universities, and schools about creative writing, leadership, and multicultural education. She also works with national organizations on Día de los niños/Día de los libros, an April 30th celebration of childhood, books, languages, and cultures.

Born in El Paso, Texas, Pat has received numerous children’s book awards. In 2002 she was honored as a "Literary Light for Children” by the Associates of the Boston Public Library and included in “100 Library Champions” during the Texas Library Association’s Centennial.

Ms. Mora has been the Carruthers Chair, Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of New Mexico; a consultant on U.S.–Mexico youth exchanges; an administrator and museum director at her alma mater, the University of Texas at El Paso; and has taught English at all levels. The proud mother of three grown children, she divides her time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area.

For more information on Pat Mora, visit her Web site at www.patmora.com

PRAISE

A LIBRARY FOR JUANAThe World of Sor Juana Inés

“This lovingly produced picture-book biography of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz features a fresh subject and introduces young American audiences to an important figure in Mexico’s literary history.”—The Horn Book Magazine

“A gentle text and innovative artwork depict a pivotal summer in a boy’s life when he and his family leave their Texas home for farmwork in Iowa. . . . Spanish words slip in naturally and unobtrusively throughout Mora’s text as she focuses on the snug library and the books that fire Tomás’ imagination, and on his friendship with the librarian.”—Publishers Weekly

About Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson lives in Minneapolis, MN.

About Lou Fancher

Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher have collaborated on many award-winning and bestselling picture books, including Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou. Steve and Lou live in Moraga, California, with their son, Nicholas. Visit their website at www.johnsonandfancher.com